Cannabis grows found in Stoke-on-Trent cut by more than half
The council and police say a joint campaign has helped reduce the number of illegal cannabis farms
Last updated 6th Aug 2026
The number of cannabis grows found in Stoke-on-Trent has fallen by more than half over the past year.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council says a joint campaign with Staffordshire Police, called Weed Them Out, has helped cut the numbers.
The number of cannabis grows found across the city has fallen by 53.7 per cent over the last 12 months.
The campaign targets cannabis grows in council homes, privately rented properties and empty commercial buildings.
The council and Staffordshire Police work together to investigate reports from locals and take action.
Private landlords who knowingly allow cannabis grows in their properties could face criminal charges, while council tenants would lose their tenancies.
As part of the campaign, owners of long-term empty homes can also face a council tax premium of up to 300%, to make sure buildings are in legal use.
Not a victimless crime
Councillor Duncan Walker, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "Cannabis grows aren't victimless. They can bring organised crime into our neighbourhoods and create serious risks for people living and working in neighbouring properties.
"A reduction of more than 53 per cent is a fantastic result, but we are not complacent. We will continue working closely with Staffordshire Police to identify illegal cannabis cultivation and take robust action against those responsible."
Temporary Chief Inspector Victoria Ison, of Staffordshire Police's Stoke-on-Trent North local policing team, said: "Cannabis grows are often linked with serious criminal networks and usually involve the exploitation of vulnerable people.
"We will continue to act on the concerns of local people and target drug supply in Stoke-on-Trent."